Great Milk Bath Recipe for Baby and It’s Benefits

If you’re a new mom, you might be new to breastfeeding and the wonders of breastmilk. You might have heard other moms used breastmilk to cure ailments, and you might have called them crazy. Now, you have a baby, and he has some skin issues. You’re wondering if there is something to the extra uses of breastmilk (I am speaking from experience!).

 A breastmilk bath is one of the most natural ways to treat your baby’s skin. It is highly nourishing and hydrating to a baby’s delicate skin. The applications are endless, from helping with rashes to keeping dryness at bay; a breastmilk bath is rarely bad for any baby.

Today you will learn the many benefits of a milk bath for dry itchy skin, how to make a leisurely milk bath for your baby, and some other tips on breastmilk production.

Benefits of a Breast Milk Bath

Breast milk contains many vitamins and minerals as a source of nutrition for your baby. Still, it also offers several benefits to the baby’s skin. Breastmilk has anti-bacterial properties and natural enzymes that can soothe babies’ skin and provide protection from outside elements. Breastmilk will leave their skin soft, smooth, and healthy by doing the following:

1. Moisturize Dry Skin: The high-fat content in human breast milk can help nourish and hydrate the skin; It creates a natural barrier that locks in moisture.
2. Helps with Skin Problems: For babies with irritated skin rashes, the milk’s healing properties can reduce inflammation and soothe sensitive skin (1). 
3. Anti-Bacterial and Healing Properties: Milk contains lysozyme, which has antibacterial properties that can help reduce the chances of infection, especially in areas that are prone to chafing or irritation (2). 
4. Relieves Itchiness and Redness: The warm milk bath helps relieve itchy skin, redness, and discomfort, which is common during your baby’s first year.

Common Skin Issues That a Baby Milk Bath Can Help With

Skin issues are prevalent in infants’ first year as their body adjusts to the outside world. Many of these irritations can be uncomfortable or stressful for both the baby and the parent. Some of the skin problems that can benefit from a milk bath include:

• Baby Acne: A common issue in the early days is that baby acne often appears on the face, neck, and shoulders. It shows up as a white bump or red-looking pimples. 
• Diaper Rashes: Diaper rashes can appear when a baby’s skin is exposed to moisture, friction, or chemicals in diaper cream, lotions, diapers, and wipes. 
• Cradle Cap: Cradle cap often appears on the scalp as flakey patches or crusts. Breastmilk’s moisturizing properties can help reduce cradle cap by softening the patches and making them easier to remove.
• Dry Skin and Itchy Skin: A milk bath is an easy way to treat babies with dry or itchy skin. The high-fat content of breastmilk acts as a natural moisturizer, keeping the skin hydrated and soft.

Other Breast Milk Uses

Now, you’re realizing how valuable breastmilk can be inside and out! Here are some other favorite ways breastmilk can be used for a baby:

• Clogged Tear Duct: Apply a small amount of breast milk via a warm washcloth to your baby’s closed eye and gently massage.
• Eye Crust: If your baby has eye crust or mild eye infections, you can gently apply a small amount of breast milk to the eyes to help clear it up.
• Diaper Rash: As mentioned above, breastmilk baths can aid in the healing of diaper rash. Breastmilk can also be applied directly to the rash via a cotton ball or wipe to help soothe it.
• Breastmilk Popsicle: Breastmilk frozen into a popsicle duly combat inflammation for teething babies! The cold will help soothe inflammation along with the fantastic breastmilk properties. 

DIY Milk Bath Recipe

This simple homemade milk bath recipe is easy to prepare, has not extra cost, and can effectively soothe your baby’s skin. 

Ingredients:

• At least 8 ounces of breast milk 
• Enough warm water for a baby bath

Instructions:

1. Begin filling your baby’s bathtub or basin with warm water, ensuring the water is not too hot.
2. Pour in milk. If you have leftover, expired breast milk or extra frozen breast milk, this is a great way to put it to use. Stir the milky water.
3. Optional Additions:
   • Epsom Salts: Add 1 teaspoon of Epsom salts to a baby bath. The bath salts can aid in relaxation and help with constipation. Check with your pediatrician to ensure safety.
   • Oatmeal: Making a milk and oatmeal bath can help provide additional relief. Add 1/4 cup of ground oatmeal to the tub. Alternatively, you can use an oatmeal bath bag or a nut milk bag if you have one. Oatmeal can be ground in a food processor or coffee bean grinder.
4. Place your baby in the milky water and allow them to soak for 10-15 minutes. You can softly massage the baby’s skin while they relax in the warm bath. Always supervise your baby closely while bathing.

Please note I do not recommend adding essential oils to a baby’s bath. Essential oils are very potent and can be damaging to a babies skin, especially if there are open sores.

What to Do If You Do Not Produce Enough Breast Milk

A fresh milk bath is a fantastic way to help soothe a baby, mainly if you are producing extra milk or have some leftover breast milk that was left on the counter for too long. Sadly, however, some women struggle with supply and do not have extra milk for a baby milk bath. A different kind of milk can be used instead of human breast milk. Coconut nourishes the skin, and coconut milk is a nice alternative. Finally, if you are struggling with supply, please consider the following:

1. See a Lactation Consultant: If this is your first time breastfeeding, I cannot recommend seeing an International Board-Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC) enough. They are trained in breastfeeding and can offer guidance from the baby’s latch to increasing supply. It is a good idea to reach out to them just for peace of mind because navigating breastfeeding is hard!
2. Increase Frequency: Generally, breastmilk is supply and demand. Pumping after a nursing session can help increase supply. 
3. Diet: Drink plenty of water and replenish electrolytes. Maintaining a balanced diet can help support milk production. Foods that are claimed to increase supply include oatmeal, brewer’s yeast, and adequate protein intake.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, by the end of this article, you have come around to the power of breastmilk and feel less strange about using it for reasons other than its ability to feed your baby. A milk bath is a go-to solution for all things skin-related. Whether your baby is dealing with dry skin, diaper rashes, or cradle cap, give your baby his own soothing milk bath and watch how the redness dissipates, the inflammation goes down, and the dry skin heals! 

If you’re on the journey to less-toxic living and curious about washing your newborn baby’s clothes and what detergents are safe, check out this article.

If you want insider tips on a less-toxic lifestyle sent straight to your inbox, follow along with my newsletter and subscribe below.